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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975​ (the Act) is administered by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. It is the primary legislation for the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage in Tasmania.

The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975 ​is the amended version of the Aboriginal Relics Act 1975. The Act amendments commenced on​ 16 August 2017.

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Statutory Guidelines

The Act provides for statutory guidelines which specify the actions required by a person to establish a defence in accordance with section 21 of the Act. They provide an opportunity for people and businesses to be pro-active in seeking to minimise potential harm to Aboriginal heritage, and to avoid the possibility of their actions being negligent.

The guidelines also adopt any standards, rules, codes, guidelines or other documents. Anyone who acts in accordance with these adopted documents is taken to be acting in accordance with the Guidelines.

Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania acknowledges the palawa and pakana people (Tasmanian Aboriginal community) as Traditional
Owners of lutruwita (Tasmania). We remember and honour our Elders and community as continuing custodians of our rich cultural heritage.